Steve Matthews’ Belmont selections for Friday, Oct. 6
Best Bet: MADAME AMBASSADOR (1); Best Value: A DIXIE TWISTER (6)
FIRST: Madame Ambassador made menacing move when fifth in last; more to give in second start since June. Paz the Wine should pack amplified kick with cutback to 6 furlongs; very dangerous. Grandpa’s Arianna owns speed and returns to maiden-claiming ranks; must consider.
SECOND: Three Eighty Eight is fresh and logged swift numbers at Belmont’s Spring-Summer meeting; set for best. Frosty Anne was a fast-figured, front-running winner in last; bounces today? Frosty Gal runs late and could be in the garden spot if pace meltdown ensues.
THIRD: Tricky Escape owns fast late-pace figures and could get overlooked in the wagering in NYRA debut. Perdona is speedy and riding a two-race winning streak; very playable. Azaelia logged two swift half-mile works since willing second in last; right in the thick of this.
FOURTH: Flattermefabulous had the wrong setup when unable to make the lead last time; wire to wire with more aggressive handling. Free N Clear made premature brush to the front and wilted late in same race as top selection last time; dangerous with more judicious ride. Khaleesi Kat packs solid late kick and would be aided by fast fractions; don’t ignore.
FIFTH: Money Laundering was unfazed by swift splits when a front-running maiden winner last time; pairs up. Reedini was a clear-cut second in last and could be ideally positioned in the stalker’s seat; dangerous. Casigordo packs potent late kick and would benefit from front-end collapse; must be factored into the mix.
SIXTH: A Dixie Twister overcame rough start when a hard-charging winner in last; more to give. Buffalo Miss is fleet-footed and could prove very tough on a soft lead; very interesting. Another Genius displayed improved speed in last; very playable in third start of form cycle. Startwithsilver consistently logs fast final figures; logical, short-priced player.
SEVENTH: Valiant Man compiled tightly grouped training tab for first start since February; primed and ready. Frozen Angel set the fractions and faltered late in first start since five-month absence last time; tighter today. St. Patrick Frost logged three fast workouts for return to main track; worth long look at long price. Dwizard has finished third in both starts; likely underlay.
EIGHTH: Bright Side Up adds blinkers and makes peak start of form cycle; call based on price in contentious field. Bareeqa has won two in a row and six of last nine; very dangerous. Morethanjustawarning could impact at fat ticket if fractions get fast and furious.
NINTH: Tough Old Bird is riding a forward line on the numbers and could be sitting on breakthrough in wide-open nightcap. Sand City owns speed, adds blinkers and makes first start since claimed by Danny Gargan; history of failing as the favorite is the knock. Verona Blue has trained swiftly since much-improved effort in last start; developing and dangerous. Madeline’s Hope is lightly raced and takes blinkers off; ample room for improvement.
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